Lilja Lions

Happy New Year!

The post-holiday timeframe can be a challenge for kids and families. We often see an increase in ailments (stomachaches, headaches), separation anxiety & behavior issues during the first weeks back to school, and hear more stories of children who arrive home tired, tearful, and dysregulated.

When a child arrives home and presents with atypical big emotions or an abundance of energy, this is called restraint collapse. It happens because your child has held things together for hours: following rules, controlling impulses, and sitting (relatively) still. They have used up their self-regulation capacity.

So when they’re back in their SAFE SPACE, they let down their guard and all the feelings and emotions spill out. Remember, don't take it personally. Pushing and punishing won’t work here. These meltdowns are a result of feeling overwhelmed, and what your child needs is to feel safe and connected. This is normal, and with your connection and support, your child will move through it!

1- RECESS RULES: SNOW

The front office and school nurse monitor the weather to make decisions regarding outdoor recess and the safety of our students. However, students will often be expected to go outside for recess in the cold weather, and when there is snow on the ground. At Lilja, students MUST have boots, snowpants, gloves, and a hat or hood in order to play in the snow and on the field. Students who do not have these items are expected to stay on the blacktop portion of the playground.

Some families find it helpful to have their child leave a pair of snowpants, gloves, etc at school. Please work with your child and teacher to find the best option for your student.

3- BOKS: SPRING SESSION SIGN UP!

BOKS will run every Monday and Wednesday from 7:40 to 8:20am from February 27th to May 24th. See this letter for details. Registration letter can be found here.

2- GLOBAL CHILD: SPRING SESSION SIGN UP!

Global Child is an after school class providing second language instruction held at Lilja, meeting once a week for 10 weeks. Please see the flier attached here. Register by January 20th.

3- NO SCHOOL MONDAY JANUARY 16TH

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be NO SCHOOL on January 16th.

4- KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

At this time of year, we work to determine the number of children who will enter kindergarten at Lilja Elementary School for the coming school year.

If you, or anyone you may know, has a child who will be five years old by August 31, 2023 and are a resident of Natick, please pass along the information below.

Please complete the google form to be added to our list for enrollment in kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year by January 9, 2023. To access the form, visit the URL listed below. If you have any questions, please email us at lilja23-24@natickps.org.

Copy this link into your browser: https://forms.gle/DTw73m6GjS4KzH69A

The Lilja PTO is a group of volunteer parents. Our goals are to enrich the education of our children, support the teachers and staff, and serve the Lilja community as a whole. We fundraise to supply materials, fund programs, organize social functions, and coordinate parent volunteers, all of which enhance the experience of Lilja students and build a sense of community within the school. Please visit us at www.liljapto.org

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5